How Long Is a Desert Safari in Hurghada? Durations and Planning

How long is a desert safari in Hurghada? Anything from about three hours to a full day, depending on the trip you choose. A quad ride before lunch fits easily into a beach holiday, while the Super Safari or a private buggy day takes most of your day. This guide explains how long each of our desert trips takes, where the time goes, and how to fit the right one into your holiday plans.

Desert safari durations at a glance

These are the usual durations of our desert trips, including hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada. The exact times are always on the tour page and confirmed when you book.

- 3-hour morning quad safari: about 3 hours. - 3-hour quad safari after lunch: about 3 hours. - Private quad safaris (morning or after lunch): about 3 hours, only for your group. - Buggy tour: about 3 hours. - Stargazing desert adventure by jeep with dinner: about 5 hours, from the afternoon into the evening. - Super Safari: about 6 hours, ending with dinner and a show. - Private buggy tour of desert and sea: a full day.

• •Horse riding on the beach and in the desert: about 2 hours.

Where does the time go?

A desert trip is more than the ride itself. Here is how a typical trip is split:

The transfer

The desert starts just behind Hurghada, so the drive from most hotels to the safari station is short. Pickup times depend on where your hotel is, and the bus or car may collect other guests on a group trip.

The briefing

Before quads and buggies set off, the guide explains how to drive safely and gives everyone a few minutes to get used to the vehicle. It is time well spent, especially for first-time riders.

The ride and the stops

You ride in a line behind the guide, with stops for photos. On most trips the ride goes to a Bedouin village or camp, where you have tea, often a camel ride, and time to look around before riding back.

Dinner and the evening

On the evening trips, the second half of the time is about the desert at sunset: dinner in the open air, a show on the Super Safari, or the telescope on the stargazing trip. Then you are driven back to your hotel.

Short trip or long trip: which suits you?

Choose a 3-hour trip if: - you want to try a quad or buggy without giving up a whole day; - you travel in summer and want to avoid the hottest hours (morning trips are best);

• •you have small children or someone in the group who prefers the pool.

Choose the 5–6 hour evening trips if: - you want the full desert experience: ride, Bedouin village, sunset and dinner;

• •you like the idea of the desert at night, with stars or a show.

Choose the full-day private buggy if: - you want a long, relaxed adventure only for your group;

• •you love driving and want to see the desert and the sea in one day.

If you can't decide, our guide on how to choose a Hurghada safari helps you match a trip to your travel style.

Is a 3-hour safari enough?

For many people, yes. In three hours you leave the town behind, ride across the open desert, stop at a Bedouin village for tea and a camel ride, and are back at the hotel in time for lunch or the pool. It is the perfect amount for a first try, for families with young children, and for hot summer days. If you love it, you can still book a longer evening trip later in the week. If you already know that you want the sunset, dinner and the desert at night, go straight for one of the longer trips.

How to fit a safari into your holiday

- Not on arrival or departure day. Flights change, and a dusty trip right before a flight is tiring. - Mix desert and sea. Plan the desert on one day and a boat trip on another, with a pool day in between. - Morning trips in summer. From June to September the middle of the day is very hot; a morning quad ride leaves the afternoon free for the pool. - Evening trips in winter: bring a warm layer. From November to March the desert gets cold after sunset.

• •Long day trips need a rest day. After Luxor or Cairo, keep the next day easy before a desert trip.

A sample week with one desert trip

- Day 1: arrival and beach. - Day 2: boat trip to an island. - Day 3: morning quad safari, afternoon at the pool. - Day 4: rest day. - Day 5: day trip to Luxor. - Day 6: rest day, or the stargazing evening.

• •Day 7: beach and packing.

What affects the length of the day

- Where your hotel is: hotels further from the safari station mean a longer transfer. - Group size on group trips: collecting guests from several hotels takes a little time. - The season: sunset is earlier in winter, so evening trips start earlier.

• •Your own pace on private trips: you can stop more often or ride longer within the time of the trip.

What to bring for any length of trip

Closed shoes, light clothes that cover arms and legs, sunglasses, a scarf for the dust, sunscreen and water. For evening trips, add a warm jumper or jacket. Our beginner tips for a desert safari have a full list.

Ready to plan your desert day?

Whether you have a free morning or a whole day, there is a desert trip that fits. Compare them on our desert safari guide, check the live prices and times on each tour page, or send us a message on WhatsApp from any tour page and we will help you fit the right trip into your holiday.